The Golden Legend

"A brave, timely, searingly beautiful novel from the acclaimed author of The Blind Man's Garden: set in contemporary Pakistan, the story of a Muslim widow and her Christian neighbors whose community is consumed by violent religious intolerance When shots ring out on the Grand Trunk Road, Nargis's life begins to crumble around her. Her husband, Massud--a fellow architect--is caught in the cross fire and dies before she can confess her greatest secret to him. Now under threat from a powerful military intelligence officer, who demands that she pardon her husband's American killer, Nargis fears that the truth about her past will soon be exposed. For weeks someone has been broadcasting people's secrets from the minaret of the local mosque, and, in a country where even the accusation of blasphemy is a currency to be bartered, the mysterious broadcasts have struck fear in Christians and Muslims alike. When the loudspeakers reveal a forbidden romance between a Muslim cleric's daughter and Nargis's Christian neighbor, Nargis finds herself trapped in the center of the chaos tearing their community apart. In his characteristically luminous prose, Nadeem Aslam has given us a lionhearted novel that reflects Pakistan's past and present in a single mirror, a story of corruption, resilience, and the disguises that are sometimes necessary for survival--a revelatory portrait of the human spirit"-- Provided by publisher.

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Another wonderful book from Nadeem Aslam. In this one, there is love and hope despite the horrors of Pakistan, fundamentalism and corruption. The author speaks from the perspectives of all of the characters in his wonderful prose. Highly recommended.

Quotes

"Don't hurt him, and don't get hurt," Nargis said. She thought for a long time before continuing, as though wishing to grasp what she wanted to say and to then express it correctly. "The beginning, the middle, and the end of love—they all have their rules. Both of you must act with dignity and honor toward each other during these stages."

That was all she thought she needed to convey, the only advice she imparted. And Helen was grateful to be treated with such comforting seriousness.